How Perimenopause and Menopause Can Affect Your Skin

As a medical practitioner specialising in women’s health, we treat many women going through the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause who are concerned about changes in their skin. The decline in estrogen levels during this stage of life can impact skin health and appearance.

Here's what you need to know about how menopause affects your skin and what can be done about it.

Perimenopause Skin Changes

Perimenopause refers to the years leading up to menopause when hormone levels begin fluctuating. Many women in their 40s will notice skin changes during this transition including:

• Dryness and Irritation - Declining estrogen causes a decrease in skin's oil and moisture production, leading to dryness, itching, and increased sensitivity.

• Acne Flares - The fluctuating hormones can trigger hormonal acne along the jawline in some women.

• Facial Hair Growth - Lower estrogen can cause unwanted facial hair growth in some cases.

  Menopause Skin Changes

  Once menopause is reached (defined as 12 consecutive months with no menstrual cycles), most women will experience:

• Loss of Skin Firmness - Estrogen is essential for maintaining collagen levels which give skin its plump, smooth, and toned appearance. As estrogen wanes, skin loses elasticity and appears more lax and wrinkled.

• Thinning of Skin - The lack of estrogen also causes a thinning of the deeper skin layers which can make skin appear more translucent, fragile, and slow to heal.

• Hyperpigmentation - Hormonal changes make skin more prone to patchy brown discoloration like melasma. Sun damage is also harder to control in menopause.

What Can Help Your Skin During Perimenopause and Menopause?

While some skin changes are inevitable with the hormonal transition of menopause, there are effective ways to minimize issues:

• Stay Hydrated. Combat dryness by using ultra-hydrating moisturizers with ceramides.

• Retinoids. These vitamin A derivatives boost cell turnover and collagen production to address wrinkles and discoloration.

• Niacinamide. Vitamin B assists with redness, inflammation and helps to brighten the skin

• Chemical Peels. Light peels slough off pigmented cells and refresh skin tone/texture.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy.

The good news is that great skincare, professional treatments, and a healthy lifestyle can keep skin radiant through menopause. Be proactive about your skin's needs during this transition for the best results.